By Benjamin Inn

On a small island n the Maropin Sea, the Eskatonics on Manitou have built their monastery to study strange occult phenomena, and peek into the ways of the Vau.

In the Maropin Sea is a small island with a giant rock spire in the center of it. Here the Eskatonics on Manitou have built their monastery to study strange occult phenomena, and peek into the ways of the Vau. As the planet is off-limits to the Inquisition, the Eskatonics here are often considered the most liberal with their studies, yet, since the Eskatonic Sanhedrin are NOT barred from entering the system, they still roughly abide by Eskatonic and Orthodox doctrine.

The monastery itself is set up in quite a unique fashion - the lower portion of the island holds the living quarters, eating areas, exercise zones, ship docks, and a very small landing pad for aircraft. Atop the spire, however, is the main temple, libraries, and a small shrine to Ven Lohji and St. Horace. In order to reach the top of the spire, one must ascend the 1000 stairs spiralling up the outside edge of the spire. The stairs were carved out of the rock long ago, and it is rumored that the Vau created the island specifically for the fulfillment of a prophecy. Others whisper that the Ur themselves once used this location long ago as a nexus of planetary energy, and that underneath each of stairs lie progressively strange puzzles which, when solved in order, will lead to a sort of ultimate enlightenment.

The act of climbing the stairs is, in theory, supposed to symbolize the questing and the ascent into sacredness, and anyone who attempts to land at the top via aircraft or any other means is ignored by the Eskatonics until they reach the top in the proper manner. Magister William-of-the-Bridge presides over the monastery. He and Magister Osanto keep tabs on the workings of the many psychic covens which operate on Manitou, and certain intelligence agencies from around the KW often stop-in to get information from them. William is a wise and quiet man, though he will speak for hours when asked certain questions. It is said he is a prophet of sorts, or that he writes the destiny of the Known Worlds in his books.